- SCGA Photo
COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Jake Knapp, a high
school
senior from Costa Mesa, Calif., shot a 10-under
par 61 in his U.S. Open Local Qualifier at
Newport Beach CC on May 16, posting the
best score at any 2012 U.S. Open qualifier
across the country. He bested all other players
by six strokes or more to earn medalist honors
and advance to Sectional Qualifying June 4.
"I struck the
ball great and hit all 18 greens.
Just played really well," he said
after his round. "I qualified [for
sectionals] last year, but this time
I feel more ready as long as I stay in
control."
Knapp carded eight birdies and one
eagle, while commiting no bogeys, in his
impressive round. He also received an
invitation to play in the Pacific Coast Amateur
shortly after entering the clubhouse. Knapp
missed the course record, held by Champions
Tour players Nick Price (2011) and Tom
Purtzer (2004), by one stroke. Price and
Purtzer won the Toshiba Classic those years
on the course.
The Estancia High School
senior, who will be headed to UCLA to join
Patrick Cantlay and the Bruins this fall, shot a
six-under par 66 earlier this week to earn
medalist honors at the CIF-SS Southern
Individual Regional at Skylinks GC. He will
advance to the CIF Individual finals, set to be
held May 21 at Victoria CC in Riverside. This
summer, Knapp will also play in two SCGA
events, as he was recently granted an
exemption into the SCGA Amateur at Big
Canyon in July. He also qualified for the
California Amateur a couple weeks ago.
17-year-old SCGA member Beau
Hossler also advanced through local qualifying,
shooting a 69 at Oakmont CC, the same place
where a year ago the rising star made it
through Sectional qualifying and advanced to
the 2011 U.S. Open. Also making it through the
qualifying at Oakmont was 2007
California Amateur Champion Josh Anderson.
ABOUT THE U.S. Open Local Qualifying
18-hole stroke play qualifier open to male amateurs
with a handicap of 0.4 and below. Players who
advance
will get to choose their top three sectional qualifying
sites. The number of qualifying spots will depend on
the size of the field.
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